Open and Shut

From Wisconsin Watch and Wisconsin Public Radio

A New Podcast From Wisconsin Watch and WPR

"Open and Shut" explores the dangers of allowing the power of the prosecutor to go unchecked. The seven-part investigative series follows two district attorneys in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley and their impact on victims, the accused and the justice system.

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Open and Shut: Coming April 20

Prosecution included questionable witnesses, racial stereotype, in 2000 arson trial of Dale Chu

The Outagamie County case featured District Attorney Vince Biskupic who called one of his key witnesses 'credible' — then charged him with perjury 10 days later.

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Ep. 1: The Fire

Former Winnebago County District Attorney Joe Paulus sits in court

The rise and fall of Winnebago County District Attorney Joe Paulus reveals the immense power of prosecutors – and how it can be abused

Joe Paulus's time as Winnebago County district attorney involved taking bribes, allegedly asking an officer to lie on the stand and bragging about having sex in his office.

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Ep. 2: The Golden Boy

Two prosecutors accused a man of plotting to murder one of them. Years later, a different story emerged.

The Wisconsin case was tainted by secret tapes, unreliable witnesses and a supposed "hit" plot against Winnebago County District Attorney Joe Paulus.

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Ep. 3: The Hit Plot

Jonathan Liebzeit with his mother and sister

A horrific murder. Police helped a key witness. The prosecutor kept it secret.

In 2019, Wisconsin Watch received a tip about a case. It alleged that the prosecutor, Outagamie County District Attorney Vince Biskupic, had withheld information about a key witness — a young woman who got some help, monetary and otherwise, from the police. That assistance was never disclosed to the defense. It’s part of a pattern seen in some other high-profile cases prosecuted by Biskupic, according to an investigation by Wisconsin Watch and WPR.

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Ep. 4: The Witness

Two decades after high-profile murder trial, questions remain in the prosecution of Ken Hudson

A possible Miranda violation, a missing taped "confession," and an improperly charged girlfriend among the flaws in Vince Biskupic’s case.

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Ep. 5: The Circus

Wisconsin prosecutor campaigned on his record — but some high-profile cases had hidden flaws

One of Outagamie County District Attorney Vince Biskupic’s cases involved a rewritten police report; another, an exoneration.

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Ep. 6: The List

Deals Vince Biskupic made as a prosecutor and judge raise questions of fairness in Wisconsin’s justice system

As Outagamie County district attorney, Biskupic let potential defendants buy their way out of trouble. As a judge, he offered deals that fell in a 'gray area' of the law.

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Ep. 7: The Scandal

About

"Open and Shut" is a narrative, seven-part investigative series following two district attorneys in Wisconsin's Fox Valley and their impact on victims, the accused and the justice system. "Open and Shut" is a joint production of Wisconsin Watch and WPR.

Credits

Hosted by Phoebe Petrovic and reported by Phoebe Petrovic and Dee J. Hall.

Producers — Nina Earnest, Phoebe Petrovic

Editor — Karen Given

Production assistants — Enjoyiana Nururdin, Clare Amari

Digital project manager — Coburn Dukehart

Digital story editor — Dee J. Hall

Digital editors — Alyssa Allemand, David Hyland

Technical director — Brad Kolberg

Music — Karl Christenson

Art direction — John Thomas Nichols

Marketing specialist — Angela Woodward

Digital design — Amanda Starich, Anna Rueden and Jane Jiumaleh

Legal review — Christa Westerberg, Aaron Dumas

Additional support — Andy Hall, Noah Ovshinsky, Bridgit Bowden, Madeline Heim and Wesley Lethem

Financial support — NEW News Lab, Report for America and the Vital Projects Fund

Special thanks to WPR's Marketing Team for their organizational support.

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Open and Shut

From Wisconsin Watch and Wisconsin Public Radio

About

Credits